Lot 2268. A fine doucai 'sanduo' wine cup, Yongzheng six-character mark within double circles and of the period (1723-1735); 2 3/4 in. (7.1 cm.) diam. Estimate HKD 500,000 - HKD 800,000. Price realised HKD 1,230,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2013

The cup is of thinly potted conical form supported on a short foot, delicately enamelled on the exterior with fruiting sprigs of peach, finger citron, and lychee, forming thesanduo, in tones of lemon-yellow, two shades of green, russet and iron-red within underglaze blue borders, the interior with a central medallion enclosing a flowering rose on a curled thorny stem, Japanese wood box.

Provenance: A Japanese private collection, acquired in the early 20th century.

Note: The three types of fruiting branches combined together forms the 'Three Abundances', sanduo, and together they symbolise the wish for numerous sons, a long life and blessings.

Compare to a similar pair of cups also with Yongzheng marks illustrated in Chinese Porcelain, The S.C. Ko Tianminlou Collection, Hong Kong, 1987, pl. 98; and another pair from the Paul and Helen Bernat collection, sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 15 November, 1988, lot 6. A single wine cup was sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 29 May 2007, lot 1495.

Christie's. Imperial Sale, Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, 29 May 2013, Hong Kong, HKCEC Grand Hall